How to run a comedy writing workshop

A comedy writing workshop works when participants write a lot, perform a little each session, and get feedback that helps rather than hurts. Keep the group small enough for everyone to read their material aloud, give clear exercises with time limits, set rules for feedback from the first session, and give the course a goal: a short set at a showcase or an open mic. Decide whether you run one-off sessions or a course over several weeks, and say clearly what each includes.

A single session is a taster: participants discover a few techniques, write some lines and try them in the room. A course over several weeks lets them build a short set, rewrite it and perform it. Both have a place; some comedians run tasters to fill courses. Be clear in the description which one people are booking, and who it's for — complete beginners, people who've tried an open mic, writers who want to perform.

Everyone needs time to read their material and get feedback. Decide how much time each person gets per session and work back to the group size. A group that's too large turns the session into a lecture; one that's too small loses the energy of an audience. Set your maximum and keep to it.

Short, timed writing bursts help participants stop judging themselves and put words on paper. Follow each burst with a reading round so the room hears what works.

Participants may write about family, work, health or relationships, and a joke can touch something painful. Remind the group that they choose what to share, that real people mentioned in a set may recognise themselves, and that the strongest personal material is the kind the writer has some distance from. Check in privately with anyone who seems shaken after a reading.

Ending with a showcase in front of friends or a slot at an open mic gives the course a purpose. Agree the format with the venue early, give each participant a time limit, and rehearse running order and transitions in the last session. Make clear that taking part is optional; some people want to write, not perform.

Writing workshops work by video for participants far away. Keep groups smaller, ask everyone to keep their camera on, and use the chat for tags and quick ideas while one person reads.

Give each participant a short written note on their set: what works, what to cut, what to try next. Point them to local open mics and invite them to your next level course.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. For a taster, create a "Comedy writing taster" service and open a slot with a capacity equal to your group size; each participant books one place and the session disappears from your page when it's full. For a course, sell the first session online with the course price in the description, then book each participant into the following weekly sessions yourself from your calendar; you can open those slots on the same weekday, repeated weekly until the showcase date. Ask participants to write their experience in the optional note.

Durations and prices are examples: set your own. If you must move a session, reschedule each booking from your bookings list and tell participants yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.